Crash of a Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer in the Tokyo Bay: 13 killed

Date & Time: Mar 9, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer
Operator:
Registration:
59497
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Aerial photography
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Tinian - Tinian
MSN:
59497
YOM:
1943
Location:
Tokyo
Kantō
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
15
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
The crew left Tinian Island bound for Tokyo to perform aerial photography of the Japanese Imperial fleet based in the Tokyo Bay. While overflying the Tokyo Bay at a height of 500 feet, the seaplane was shot down by Japanese antiaircraft fire and crashed into the bay. Two crew members were rescued while 13 others were killed
Probable cause:
Shot down by Japanese fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-50-DL in Tarquinia: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-24213
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Aerial photography
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
10075
YOM:
1943
Location:
Tarquinia
Lazio
Country:
Italy
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
En route, the C-47 collided with a Brazilian Air Force Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. Out of control, the C-47 dove into the ground and was destroyed on impact. All three crew members were killed. The fate of the Thunderbolt remains unknown. Apparently, the collision occurred when the pilot was blinded by the sun while performing an air to air photography mission.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24D-CO Liberator off Car Nicobar Island: 8 killed

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1943 at 1109 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
FL926
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Aerial photography
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Sigiriya - Sigiriya
MSN:
123
YOM:
1941
Location:
Car Nicobar
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The aircraft took off from Sigiriya at 0554LT to carry out a photographic reconnaissance mission off Car Nicobar Island. The aircraft was due over the target at 1100LT and at 1109LT, its crew transmitted its call sign with one 30 second dash. D/F bearings of these transmissions indicate that the aircraft was over the Car Nicobar Island at that time. Since then there has been no further news. It is believed that the Japanese now have a small number of fighters which they operate from the Car Nicobar landing ground, with an adjacent R.D.F. Station whose range is believed to be in the neighborhood of 100 miles. It is presumed that the aircraft was intercepted by enemy fighters and shot down as another aircraft of this Squadron was destroyed by enemy action in the same area on 23rd September 1943.
Crew (160th Squadron):
F/O W. A. Wallace, pilot,
P/O H. F. Wilson, copilot,
P/O C. W. Hamann, navigator,
Sgt H. R. Crest, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt K. B. Gillespie, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt C. R. MacGregor,
Sgt R. Morgan, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt T. Leckey, wireless operator and air gunner.
Source: http://www.rquirk.com/160oper/540oct43.html

Crash of a Lockheed C-40A Electra Junior in Wright-Patterson AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1943 at 1327 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 12 Electra Junior
Operator:
Registration:
38-546
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Aerial photography
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Wright Patterson - Wright Patterson
MSN:
1263
YOM:
1941
Location:
Wright-Patterson AFB (Dayton)
Ohio
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The C-40A was flying in formation with a C-54 registered 41-37271, so his crew could photograph the dropping of a dummy combat tank from the C-54. After the tank was released, the pilot of the C-40A made a quick turn to the left, striking the C-54 right wingtip. The C-40A entered a spin and crashed near the runway, killing all five crew members. The C-54 continued on for 700 feet, allowing two passengers to bail out. The plane then crashed in a vertical dive, killing three other crewmen.
Source: http://www.joebaugher.com/
Probable cause:
Wrong judgement on part of the C-40 crew.

Crash of a Douglas B-18A Bolo in Kodiak: 7 killed

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1942 at 0900 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas B-18 Bolo
Operator:
Registration:
37-522
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Aerial photography
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kodiak – Cold Bay – Umnak
MSN:
2522
YOM:
1939
Location:
Kodiak
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
1009
Captain / Total hours on type:
491.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1833
Circumstances:
Crew left Kodiak NAS around 0800LT on a photography mission to Umnak via Cold Bay. Shortly after take off, pilot decided to return to his base for not having the "proper clearance". On ground, pilot complained about the overload of gas and equipment and left again thirty minutes later. While climbing over the Anton Larsen Bay, aircraft was too low and impacted the Sheratin Mountain, about 150 feet below the summit. Seven crew were killed while one was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The pilot had made a previous take-off and was forced to return due to the fact that he did not have a proper clearance. Before his next take-off he had complained of how heavily loaded his ship was due to having an extra tank of gas, which he did not need, plus all the equipment aboard. The pilot showed an error in judgment in attempting to climb out the ridge without sufficient altitude for a safe clearance a very heavy ship and in very turbulent air, when it would have been to avoid the ridge by going around it. While passing over the ridge at about 150 feet the ship was caught in a severe down draft, and in spite of all that the pilot could do the ship struck the ridge at about 150 feet below the summit. There was no engine failure. With southwest winds, take-off(s) from Kodiak NAS are towards inshore hills. Two alternatives are open to pilots after take-off: either turn sharply over the lower hills nearest the airdrome and return over field to shore line, or continue climb turning northwest to go through the pass in that direction. Either alternative with a heavily loaded B-18 in gusty air is uncomfortable, and it is quite likely that the pilot was attempting to attain relatively smoother air west of the mountain and on course as soon as possible. Considering all factors, the undersigned concludes that a more correct analysis of causes would be as follows: Weather 50%; Airport or terrain 20%; Pilot error of judgment 30%.

Crash of a Lockheed RA-29-LO Hudson near Windsor Locks: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 11, 1942 at 1555 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
41-23340
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Aerial photography
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Windsor Locks - Windsor Locks
MSN:
414-6157
YOM:
1941
Location:
Windsor Locks-Bradley
Connecticut
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew departed Windsor Locks-Bradley Airport on an aerial photography on behalf of the 1st Mapping Squadron. While cruising at an altitude of 28,000 feet over the area of Windsor Locks, the airplane suffered a catastrophic failure, apparently lost its tail, entered a dive and crashed near East Granby, west of the airport. All six crew members were killed.
Crew (1st Mapping Squadron):
1st Lt Melvin W. Schoephoester, pilot,
2nd Lt Walter C. Boyle,
S/Sgt Michael M. Kaufman,
Sgt Gordon Johnson,
Sgt Thomas F. Quinn,
Sgt John T. Howey Jr.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined because the airplane was totally destroyed by impact forces. Nevertheless, it is possible that the accident was caused by a failure of the automatic pilot system. The following elements were identified:
- Both engine switches were cut, the throttles to the right engine were completely closed, while the throttles to the left engine were completely open, and the fuel selector valve for the right engine was turned off;
- The right propeller appeared to have been feathered, and experts concluded that it was feathered at the time of impact;
- The committee has found no evidence to indicate failure of the wings, it is more likely that the tail break away in flight.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in East London: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Avro 652 Anson
Operator:
Registration:
1212
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Aerial photography
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
East London - East London
Location:
East London
Eastern Cape
Country:
South Africa
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew departed East London-Collondale AFB on an aerial photography mission in formation with a second SAAF Anson registered 3164. In unknown circumstances, both aircraft collided in flight. While the pilot of the 3164 was able to perform an emergency landing at Collondale AFB, the second Anson registered 1212 entered a dive and crashed in a field located 1,5 mile southwest of the airbase, bursting into flames. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (41st Squadron):
P/O D. I. Fraser, pilot,
2nd Lt C. P. Davis, copilot,
LAC E. Portnell, observer,
LAC T. E. D. Tighe, observer,
LAC J. D. Schenfield, observer.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson II in Tondano: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
A16-64
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Aerial photography
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Ambon - Ambon
MSN:
414-1917
YOM:
1940
Location:
Tondano
North Sulawesi
Country:
Indonesia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Ambon-Laha Airfield on an aerial photography mission over the North Sulawesi Province. South of Manado, it was shot down by a Japanese Mitsubishi Zero, dove into the ground and crashed near Tondano. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (13th Squadron):
F/Lt Maurice Philip Willing,
Sgt William Henry Field,
Sgt Reginald Dixon Rutter,
LAC James Moore Cunneen.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Japanese fighter.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson V off Cherbourg: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
AM862
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Aerial photography
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Thorney Island - Thorney Island
MSN:
414-2944
YOM:
1941
Location:
Cherbourg
Manche
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Thorney Island on a reconnaissance photo operation over Cherbourg. Approaching the target area, it was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in the harbor of Cherbourg. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/Lt David Adye Buchan, pilot,
Sgt Patrick Godfrey Thompson, observer,
Sgt Richard Elwyd French, wireless operator,
Sgt Arthur Stringer, wireless operator.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I off Vlissingen: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1940 at 1315 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
N7301
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Aerial photography
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Heston - Heston
MSN:
414-1697
YOM:
1940
Location:
Vlissingen
Zeeland
Country:
Netherlands
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Heston on a photography mission over the Scheldt Estuary. Approaching the area, it was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter and crashed into the Scheldt off Vlissingen (Flushing). A crew drowned and four others were rescued and became PoW.
Crew:
P/O Charles George Broome, pilot, †
Sgt Joseph Alan Dixon,
F/Sgt Ronald Ernest Phillips,
F/Lt Arnold Arthur Rumsey,
Sgt Edward John Williams.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.
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